The completely redesigned Toyota Coaster has been unveiled in the Middle East and North Africa region, Abdulla Abdulghani & Bros Co announced yesterday.
Toyota Motor Corporation has given its minibus a major upgrade after 24 years of success in more than 110 countries. As of 2015, the Coaster registered cumulative sales of more than 550,000 units since its initial release.
The Toyota Coaster was first launched as the ‘Light Bus’ in 1963, in response to increased demand for a minibus. In 1969, the vehicle underwent a partial redesign and was later renamed Coaster — a name which it has continued to use for over the past 50 years.
The current, third-generation Toyota Coaster was launched in 1992 amidst growing calls for a new design that adds to existing success and incorporates the full safety features package.
The complete redesign marks a significant evolution from the current model, and features a full range of safety functions, improved comfort, outstanding reliability and a design appropriate for a new generation of minibuses.
Assistant chief engineer of Toyota Coaster, Masahiro Yamakawa, said: “The current generation Toyota Coaster built a strong reputation over the past 24 years as a ‘working vehicle’ as well as an ‘earning vehicle’. Our customers know that even in tough usage conditions – rough roads, overloading and the likes – they can trust Toyota Coaster to get passengers to their destination and back.”
Takayuki Yoshitsugu, chief representative of Middle East & North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, said the new Toyota Coaster is built with ‘an insightful understanding of the unique demands in each region, and will contribute towards upholding the highest safety standards.’
The windshield openings have been widened to expand the driver’s field of view, while an optimal distribution of function switches, as well as compartments around the driver’s seat help minimise the need for the driver to shift his or her line of sight. The cabin space has also been heightened by 60mm, and the windows have been moved outwards by approximately 40mm, thus providing enough space for passengers to rest their elbows.
In addition, the side windows have increased in height by 50mm that all together enhance passenger comfort. The doorsteps have been lengthened by 65mm to improve ease of ingress and egress. The distance between the room racks and the roof of the vehicle has been increased by 60mm to improve storage, while the space around the room racks has been extended by 140mm to allow passengers to sit down and stand up comfortably.
The new Toyota Coaster is available with a choice of two engines: a 2.7-litre petrol engine producing 145hp and a 4.2-litre diesel engine with a power of 129hp, both of which have been paired up with a five-speed manual transmission and a power steering. The new Toyota Coaster is available in six exterior colours, including White, Lavender Blue / White, White / Beige, White / Turquoise, White / Lavender, and Yellow.
The redesigned Toyota Coaster being launched in Qatar by Toyota and AAB officials.
